CASA volunteers research the child’s circumstances, determine relevant facts in a child’s case and report this information to the court. Their work helps to support the court’s decision concerning the child’s future. A CASA volunteer focuses their recommendations and actions to ensure the best interests of the child are being met. A CASA will also monitor a case—making sure that services ordered are actually provided, and that the court is informed of any new developments. Every case is unique, but a CASA volunteer often must recommend to the court whether or not a child should stay or be reunified with his or her biological parents, be placed in foster care, or be available for adoption with another family. Though the final decision always rests with the judge or magistrate, a CASA volunteer does their best to inform the court as an independent and objective voice for the child.

CASA or guardian ad litem (GAL) volunteers are unpaid community members who have made a commitment to advocate for abused, neglected and dependent children. Community members interested in becoming CASA/GAL volunteers must: Be 21 years old; Agree to a criminal background check; Complete at least 30 hours of pre-service training; and accumulate 12 hours of continuing education each year. Volunteers are closely screened by local programs for competence, commitment and objectivity.

CASA volunteers come from all walks of life here in Portage County, with a variety of professional, educational and cultural backgrounds. Our program has volunteers who work both full and part time jobs, and other volunteers who are retired. Because the children served by CASA volunteers are diverse in background and need, we strive to recruit volunteers diverse in skill.

Yes, CASA volunteers receive thorough training! The pre-service training takes a minimum of 30 hours. Through this training volunteers learn about courtroom procedure from those in the profession— judges, lawyers, social workers and court personnel. Volunteers also learn effective advocacy techniques for children and are educated about specific topics ranging from child abuse to how to give a report in court. The culmination of the pre-service training is the swearing-in ceremony. Volunteers also have opportunities during the course of the year to attend in-service trainings, which focus on relevant and timely topics for the CASA volunteer. In addition, CASA volunteers are required to complete 12 hours of in-service training annually.

Each case is different. When a case is initially assigned, a CASA volunteer may spend five to ten hours per week researching the case history and conducting interviews. Volunteers spend anywhere from five to 15 hours a month thereafter. Some cases may continue for two years or longer, and volunteers are asked to commit until a case has been closed. Because caseworker and service provider turnover can be high, often the CASA/GAL volunteer is the only consistent presence in the child’s life.

Data shows children who are assigned a CASA volunteer: Spend less time in the court system and less time in foster care than those who do not have CASA representation; are more likely to be placed in permanent homes; and receive more services than children without CASA volunteer advocacy.